Leffe Blonde - Abbaye de Leffe S.A.

etn3000

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this at a bar. I just picked a beer at random, I didn't know what I was getting. But when the server brought it out, I was impressed. It had a beautiful gold hue, and quite a bit of carbonation.
The flavor was very unique. I have never tasted a beer like this before. I don't really have the words to describe the flavor, you'll just have to try it yourself. My friend described the flavor as ketchup. I, on the other hand, wouldn't say that. That seems almost degrading.
It was somewhat light, easing going down and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this to anyone that likes Belgian Blondes (not the females, but the beers).

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2011 16:52:37 | More by etn3000

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at a hookah bar tonight.

Pouring amber with a thin, white with decent retention and lacing, this is solid. Initially, this is a little too cold, resulting in the nose being muted, but as it warms up, I get some cotton candy, sugar water, a little honey and a moderate spice. The spice character is some blend of clove and nutmeg The palate replicates the nose. Definite sugar water and cotton candy are present, and there's a light hop character present as a mild bitterness. Spices appear mid-palate, and linger into the finish along with sugar. Light in body with high carbonation, this feels soft and gentle on the palate, wonderful. Quite enjoyable, this, though there are many beers I'd pick over this.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2010 03:26:58 | More by DefenCorps

epicness

New York

3.83/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - I'm not sure why, but I've always thought Leffe was a witbier. I was wrong obviously, and boy was I shocked when the girl poured it and it was a golden amber color. It had a nice fluffy finger head that stuck around for a minute or two. The beer was "sticky" as it had some great lacing on the cup as I was drinking it.

S - It started off with a sweet scent which surprised me due to it having a darker color than what I was expecting. The sweet scent gave away quickly to a spicy, pepper-like scent which was much more of what I was expecting.

T - Tastes different from the smell definitely. There's an initial clove taste on the tongue. Afterwards it's followed up with some grapefruit and banana. The finish is spicy with a slight hop bitterness.

M - Light bodied with high carbonation. It's really bubbly upon first taste but the finish is more smooth.

D - Light flavored but complex at the same time. The ABV is hidden quite well which makes it a pretty drinkable beer. I'd definitely drink it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 17:31:06 | More by epicness

philphilphil

Australia

4.45/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

One of my favourites, if not my favourite. served on tap in the leffe glass.
Appearance was a deep amber colour with a slight touch of cloudiness but 90% clear.
Smell was lovely simple but present.
Flavour was a soft lovely touching on sweet maltiness, simple yet magnificent. very well hidden 6.6 percent abv.
Mouthfeel was a thick aleish one, quite noice.
Drinkability is so good except the price. thats pretty much it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2010 08:24:04 | More by philphilphil

scott451

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tapped into its own glass. One and a half finger off white head. Lots of fine lacing. Nice clear light reddish amber. Spicy malty smells. Nice round flavour. Malty taste up front. Medium body. Medium carbonation. Pretty drinkable for a Belgian Pale Ale. I could have had several.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2010 20:52:31 | More by scott451

maximum12

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another brew sampled in a warm pint glass at The Castle in Easton, U.K.

And another pleasant surprise. I don't recall this being all that good, but it was much better than my fading memories. Sweet Belgian candy sugar was all over this, awakening my sweet tooth & making me smile. Undefined fruits sway in the background, but they really just accent the sweetness without adding any specific flavor.

Good beer. I wonder if a pint in the states will be as charming.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2010 14:53:07 | More by maximum12

PhillyStyle

Georgia

3.35/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

The beer appeared a nice clear light golden color with a nice big, 3 finger, white head that had good retention.

The aroma was nice less sweet and yeasty than expected from a Belgian, but not bad overall.

The taste was good, again a little lighter than expected, but you got the typical Belgian pale ale taste.

The beer had a lighter feel than most of the style, but the beer was very, bordering on extremely, easy to drink. The beer was smooth, crisp and refreshing but less carbonation than expected.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2010 16:38:57 | More by PhillyStyle

Brabander

Netherlands

4.22/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank this beer on-tap in the original glass. A very nice and smooth beer. The beer is golden yellow with a firm and nice white head.

You can smell the yeast which is used and i could smell the cellars where the blond is lagered. It is a beer which is drank all over Holland.

The beer has a good mouthfeel with this soft taste and is very drinkable. Because the beer is so available in Holland it has so many fans.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2010 13:32:18 | More by Brabander

drabmuh

Maryland

3.4/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on draft in a goblet. Beer is yellow and clear. Thick white head that falls away leaving very little lacing. Caronbation is moderate.

Aroma is yeasty and slightly bitter, some citrus in there.

Drinkability is good, mouthfeel is fine, the beer's flavor overall is a little light. There is a malt backbone but generally there isn't much there. Not a lot of esters or anything too interesting. I'm bored again. Not my favorite by a long shot. Its just OK.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2010 01:17:29 | More by drabmuh

ktrillionaire

Florida

2.68/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

This beer is beloved by many. Count me out!

G – Unibroue tulip

A – Quite a brassy golden hue, translucent, with a soapy, wispy white head and a bit of lace.

S – It is mostly a pale Euro aroma that I discern, but there is also a plastic-y cinnamon-ish element that I do not care for.

T – It has a chemical banana flavor and a strong peppery finish, other than that it tastes fairly nondescript. I am not a huge fan.

M – It has a decent feel; well-carbonated, etc. Moot to me, as I don’t care for the taste.

D – As I intimated, this is one of my least favorite Belgian beers.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2010 05:54:45 | More by ktrillionaire

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a Leffe glass at the Little Pub in Ridgefield CT.

Pours a golden bronze color - very easy on the eyes. There was a tinge of white foam left from the pour and the beer laced well.

Smell was mostly uniteresting. Bready, malty, but subtle and light.

Taste is a very pleasing mixture of malt and spices. Familiar belgian notes but far less dominant than in the big belgians. Creamy in the mouthfeel, really nice carbonation.

Its not a oomplicated beer but that doesnt mean it isnt really good. I enjoy a good Leffe when I can get one, especially on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2010 14:17:32 | More by KTCamm

donniecuffs

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cloverleaf Tavern, Caldwell, NJ: poured a golden yellow into a tulip, with one finger of bright white head, and decent lacing. The smell yielded clove, nutmeg, coriander, pear, hay, and even a hint of tartness (cranberry?). Was pleasantly surprised because so many people I know had bashed this beer. The flavor yielded all of the above in abundance, with a creamy medium body and decent carbonation. Maybe it was because my expectations were set so low, but I came away from this experience with a beer that I wouldn't mind sessioning.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2009 06:45:58 | More by donniecuffs

smibroncos

New York

3.93/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A. Poured a golden dark clear blond with a small white head. Nice lacing clug to the tulip glass,
S. Corriander, bananas, citrus, apples, pears.

T. Orange peel, bananas,carmel, fruity.

M. Medium to light bodied, light carbonation with small champagne style bubbles.

D. This brew was sweet with almost no bitterness, it had a champagne quality, with the small effervesent bubbles.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2009 04:47:28 | More by smibroncos

berley31

New Brunswick (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Poured with a good-sized, white head that eventually diminished to about 1/2-finger size. Great, thick lacing on the sides of the glass. Body is a dark golden color with a very slight amount of haze. A nice looking beer.

S: Aroma of some yeast, but mainly pepper, coriander, orange, and some other smells.

T: Spices are almost overpowering in the flavor. Nice at first, but everything is fighting for my attention and after a little while the whole thing actually gets a little sickening.

M: Medium-bodied and creamy, with soft carbonation.

D: No, I don't think I can drink more than one of these. Maybe a different time would yield a different result for me, but I don't think so. Too many other better Belgian beers out there.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2009 20:09:32 | More by berley31

Darkhorse09

New York

3.4/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Leffe Chalice.

A - Nice golden color, borederline shades of rye brown. Thin head, not the appreciable, but nice lacing. Sunny looking beer.

S - Just slightly phenolic, with some bubble gum aromas and sweet fruits. Pear maybe? Smells like it may be dry on the palate.

T - On the sweet side. Nice malt and very oily on my tongue, which makes the flavor seem like honey. Very dry finish, which is welcomed, along with a bit of alcohol kick.

M - Medium bodied.

D - Crisp, dry. Seems pretty average for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2009 14:16:54 | More by Darkhorse09

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3.6/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Leffe glass.

A - Pours a nice strong golden color with a thin head that is very nice looking and recedes quickly to a thin mat.

S - Phenolic hints and sweet fruits all abound. Very attractive.

T - Sweet maltiness and nice oily mouthfeel. The sweetness is also very honey like. There is a nice balanced floral hop taste and dryness. Nice bitterness. Nice alcohol taste.

M - Oily medium bodied beer.

D - Refreshing and very balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2009 16:21:12 | More by JoEBoBpr

smanders

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer was enjoyed from the tap in Caen, France.

I previously tried Leffe Blonde from a bottle in the States and found it incredibly sweet and a little medicinal. Well, thankfully, the barrel cuts a lot of that and you really are able to enjoy the complexity of this Belgian ale.

Highly carbonated, fruity, a bit of cloves, and a pillow-like head waft from the appropriate glass. Honey, a little hop spiciness, and a warming of alcohol follow a tasting.

Most Americans would say that Leffe Blonde is not a good representative of the style, but I would recommend trying it from the barrel prior to making that assumption. It's a totally different experience.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2009 19:30:37 | More by smanders

atis

Finland

3.85/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours golden with strings of small rising carbonation bubbles, white head that slowly fades to dense patchy layer, patchy lacing. Aroma is sweetish malt, yeast and mild lemon.

Taste is rich and sweetish malt, nice yeast and light floral hops, medium-dry finish, sweet malt aftertaste with alcohol. Mouthfeel is about medium, maybe on the thick side with moderate carbonation.

Overall, a nice Belgian, but nothing exceptional.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2009 14:56:30 | More by atis

david18

New York

3.98/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is the beer they serve in restaurants in paris as an alternative to stella. It was the perfect afternoon draft on a hot day. Not as interesting as many belgians but different enough to be a welcome beverage at most bars in Paris. I had a glass last night at a local bar in new york and it was the same. A very good sweetness, but not cloying. Refreshing with a great mouthfeel, aroma and drinkability. Get it when it's available.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2009 16:19:27 | More by david18

malmquna

France

3.7/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Beautiful light color, nice head that lasts until past half-glass. Nice aroma of roasted malt. Tastes slightly sweet, with an overall flavor of lightly roasted malt. Bitterness is low, but well balanced. This is a nice example of commercial Belgian blonde ale. Very drinkable, but beware of too many. If you like this, move on to some more flavorful Belgian ales.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2009 21:39:15 | More by malmquna

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer arrives on the patio table in a Leffe chalice, and appears a clear medium orangish amber colour, with a small, thin, soapy white head, that leaves sparse webbed lace around the glass. It smells of wheat grain, banana esters, cloves, and yeast. The taste is bready malt, more banana and yeast, and some mild orange citrus. The carbonation is moderate, the body fairly light, and it finishes fruity, with a dry edge from the booze. Refreshing enough for an evening in the extended summer light.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2009 22:16:52 | More by biboergosum

ders

New York

3/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I had one of these at a nice bar with lots of beers on tap. Not sure what the hell I was thinking. I've had it in the bottle and wasn't impressed and on tap, still not. This was a couple days ago unfortunately and all I remember is being unhappy because I could have a V8. What?

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2009 05:11:16 | More by ders

EatsTacos

Yukon (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep straw yellow with a clean, short head. Nice lacing on the glass.

Smell: Fruity with a light dose of hops. Apples, pears. Sweet and sugary ripe fruits

Taste: A mix of sweet and sugary fruity notes hit the palate first. Lightly spicey but nothing very impressive for a belgian ale. I find belgian yeasts to be the selling point for thier beers, but that's exactly what this lacks.

Mouthfeel: Pretty thin body, with a moderately high carbonation

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2009 16:02:31 | More by EatsTacos

Thanby

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev +7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pale straw/honey color with a thin off-white head. Smells of banana and straw, cloves and a bit of citrus. The taste is heavy but smooth, the banana and cloves being the dominant flavor, some citrus and (I think) ginger surface slowly, huge banana finish. Surprisingly heavy body, but it's supported by the full flavors. Smooth and easy to drink, pretty well-rounded.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2009 00:09:06 | More by Thanby

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at Flip and Bailey's in Rosemont, PA. It came in a chalice.
Appearance: The body is a clear golden color. The head is white and fluffy. It has great retention and thin but a lot of lacing.
Smell: The aroma is of pale malt with a slight earthy hop.
Taste: The flavors are mostly of bitter hops. It is very good, but not much depth.
Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is very crisp.
Drinkability: This is a very drinkable beer.
Don't drink and review.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2009 11:58:47 | More by treehugger02010